Showcase refrigerator



v April 8 1924- F. D. MAGUOLO sHow CASE REFRIGERATOR Filed April 9. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l VApri? 8 1924.

F, D. MAGUOLO SHOW CASE REFRIGERATOR Filed April 9, 1923 2 Shees-Sheet 2 WW w @mm mw., m0

Patented pr. 8, 1924..

ASMZ

PATENT GFFICE- FERDINAND-D. MAGUOLC, F ST. LOUIS, MISSQUR.

SHOWCASE REFRIGERATOR.

Application led April 9, 1923.

To all whom t may concern.

Be it known that I, FERDINAND D. MAQU- oLo, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Showcase Refrigerators, of which the following is a specification containing a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,

forming a part hereof.

My invention consists in the novel disclosure of means for refrigeration; as hereinafter particularly described and distinctly claimed.

The object of my invention is to improve the construction and increase the eiiiciency of show-cas`e or counter refrigerators.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a front-elevation of one form of my invention, partly in section.

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of the same, taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan-view of same, partly in section, parts being cut and broken away to more clearly show the underlying constructions.

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of one of my improved freezing (or air-cooling) tubes, and the means for supporting it 1n the ice-container of the refrigerating-compartment, and v y Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail-view of the sectioned parts shown at the upper rlghthand corner of the ice-container of Fig. 1, to more clearly exhibit the construction of the air-inlet in the upper portion of said icecontainer, as well as that of the inner metal cover ofthe latter.

The show-case compartment.

In the present illustration I have shown a double-ended show-case 1, having a refrigerating-compartment at both of its ends; but it will be readily apparent that a single refrigerating-compartment at one end only of sald show-case may be used, if so desired; and likewise, the invention may be applied to other well-kmwn styles of refrigerators. The numeral 1 designates a show-case Serial No. 630,842.

compartment, in which the articles to be refrigerated are to be placed, displayed, and supported. l

Said compartment 1 is, in the present illustration, provided with a white-tile floor 2, but of course any other material (such as sheet-metal) can be used for the floor, in place of said white-tiling. Supportingshelves or racks 3 are provided.

Transparent panels 4 in the front, top, and doors of said show-case compartment are provided with a plurality of two or more panes of glass separated by a dead-air space, to act as efficient insulation without interfering with the view of the articles on display in said compartment.-

Access to the lower part of said show-case compartment 1 may be had by opening the doors 5, which are located in the rear of the compartment, near the floor thereof; and

these doors are (in the present case) .pro- 'lov vided with suitable insulation, in the form of a plurality of layers of insulating material separated by a dead-air space. If preferred, said doors 5 may also be made with transparent panels 4 of the same construction as 75 that above described for the front, top, and display-doors of the show-case compartment, instead of having said layers of opaque insulating material.

A suitable insulating bottom wall is provided beneath the said show-case compartment 1, and in the present form the said insulating bottom wall has two (or a `larger number of) parallel sections of insulatin material, separated by a dead-air s ace which makes the wall lighter in Weig t and cost, and at the same time renders it very highly efficient. v

The refm'geratng-compartments. W

ing-compartments 6, and the bottom insulating-wall (having the dead-air space 7) 1s also extended beneath said rerigerating through the door-openings of said doors 8,4

which open directly above the tops of said ice-containers, as herein shown. Fig. 1.

Each of said ice-containers 9 is preferably made rectangular in shape, of suitable sheetmetal, and is suspended or otherwise supported in its refrigerating-compartment 6,

in such a manner that there will be a free space for the circulation of air between the top, bottom and sides thereof and the adja cent walls of the said refrigerating-compartments, as well as upon the interior of said ice-containers.

In the present construction, each of said ice-containers 9 has an outwardly-turned marginal-Hange 10 at itsupper end, resting upon a series of horizontal supporting-bars 11, which are fixed at the top of the said rerigerating-compartments 6, so that in re- A moving said ice-containers, for cleansing or repairs, it will only be necessary to open the said top-doors 7, and lift said ice-containers out through the openings of said doors.

A shallow sheet-metal ice-pan 12 is placed above each of said ice-containers 9, so that cracked-ice and salt or other refrigerant, maybe packed in said pan, to cool the uper portions of said ice-containers, after the atter have been .packed with refrigerant. Fig. 5.

The said ice-pans 12 are suspended in the upper portion of the ice-containers 9 by means of a horizontal marginal-.fiange 14 on the upper edge of said pans, resting upon the said marginal-flange 10 of the said ieecontainers.

Formed in the bottom of the ice-pans 12 is a filling-opening 15, which is occupied by the verticaldiange 16 of a detachable lid 17. A suitable handle 18is arranged upon the upper surface of said lid, for convenience in handling the latter.

When said lid 17 is in a closed position, it is supported by an inwardly-extending horizontal flange 19, that is integral with or attached to the lower ends or edges of the vertical walls of its ice-pan 12. A common gasket or weather-strip 20, having a sott or yielding strip of material, such as rubber 21,

dead-air is attached to one of the opposing surfaces to be made air-tight, by means of rivets 22 or other fastenings. Fig. 5.

A horizontal aireduct or air-passa e entirely surrounds the upper portion o each of the ice-containers 9, to receive air and vapors from the upper portion of the said show-case compartment 1, and distribute and discharge same at various points around (and within) said ice-containers. 23 designates said air-duct.

One way of providing such horizontal airducts or passages is as follows Depending from the inner edge of said lid-supporting horizontal ilange 19 of each icefpan 12, is a vertical inner-wall of said air-duct 23, which is preferably formed integral withsaid flange, and carries at its lower edge an upwardly-inclined bottomplate 24 that is provided with numerous perforations 25. i

`A vertical rim or guide-flange 26 is formed integral with and depends from the outer edge of the said inclined-bottom 24: of said air-duct 23, and said rim engages the adjacent vertical wall of the ice-con tainer 9, and acts as a guide, in placing or removing the said ice-pan 12.

The outer vertical walls of the said airducts 23 are Jformed by the adjacent vertical walls of the said ice-containers, and numerous openings or perforations 27 are formed in these walls at a point directly opposite said air-ducts, so that the warmer air and vapor from said show-case compartment 1 .may pass out of the upper portion of the latter directly into said air-ducts, .by way of said perforations 27, Fig. 5, and thence around the upper portion of said ice-containers 9, and make its exit through the perforations 25 in the said inclined bottom 24, into the ice-containers, in which it comes into contact with the cracked-ice and salt (or other rerigerating-materials) that are packed around the exterior of a plurality of inclined tubes 28, as well as in direct contact with ice that is supported by and contained in the conical-pockets 29, which close the outer (and upper) ends of said tubes.

Said tubes 28 will hereinafter be reerred -to as the inclined air-cooling tubes.

The air, after seing cooled by contact with the refrigerant in said ice-containers, makes its exit at a very low temperature, through a comparatively large drain-passage 30 1n the bottom of said ice-containers 9, as does also the 'water trom the melted ice.

The drain-water from said drain-passage 30 of the ice-containers 9, drops directly into the open upper end of a vertical drain-spout 31 of a large drip-pan 32 that is su ported on suitable legs or feet 33, at some istance below said ice-containers.

From said spout 31 of the drip-pan 32 the drain-water is conducted in a closed Maase? Awill rise in said outer-chamber to the level of the highest wall of the highest inner overflow-chamber, thence overflow into the next highest overflow-chamber, and thence pass into the usual drain-pipe 38, that has a trapcap 39 of ordinary construction.

A thimble 40, that is considerably larger than the said drain-passage 30, in the bottom of the ice-containers 9, directs the falling drain-Water directly in to the said drippan spout 31, and prevents the water from splashing and s reading out in said drippan; while at t e same time the cold air from the bottom of said ice-containers may pass freely therefrom, over the loose u per endl of said thimble, into the bottom o the refri erating-compartments 6, and thence into t e lower portion of said show-case comartment, in a much drier condition than 1f the dri or drain water were permitted to flow open y from said ice-containers 9, and splash over and upon the said drip-pan 32.

Thus the much-desired cooled-air is rovided in the show-case compartment 1, 1n a comparatively dr condition.

Said inclined air-cooling tubes 28, may be of such size and number as is required to most eiiciently cool the air, and their inner lowermost ends are soldered or otherwise secured to the vertical wall of their ice-container 9 that is next to the said show-case compartments 1, with which said lowermost ends of said tubes are in free communication, through openings 41 cut in said ice-container walls. Flg. 4.

The upper ends of said air-tubes 28 are cut oif at an angle, to provide an inclined open filling-mouth 42 for entrance of cracked-ice and salt to the interior of the conical-pocket 29 of each tube, and said upper-most ends of said'tubes are supported by suitable brackets 43, which have vertical-arms secured to the adjacent Vertical Wall of thev ice-container 9, and upon the horizontal-arms of which brackets the said ends of the tubes rest and arefastened by means of solder or rivets.

The upperv sides of said tubes 28 are preferably rounded, to facilitate the slipping of the ice from them, and also to drain off the water; but, as shown, the bottom walls of said tubes are straightand flat, in order to provide an extended fiat bottom along which the cooled-air more readily flows towards the open end of said tubes, after it has been cooled by contact with the rounded upper walls thereof.

I do not .limit myself tothe exact form of the parts herein shown, as it is obvious that skilled mechanics can vreadily make changes in the same, without departing from the s irit of my invention or the scope of my c aims.

For instance, as previously stated, but a single refrigerating-compartment, at one end onl of the show-case compartment, may be use The operation.

A suitable freezing-mixture of broken-ice and salt, or other suitable refrigerating-material, is placed or packed within the icecontainer or containers 9, and around the exterior of the said air-cooling tubes 28, and in their conical-pockets 29, until all of the latter, and all ice-space in said containers, is completely filled or packed with such refrigerating-material, up to and in contact with the underside of the lids 17 of said containers, aswell as upon the top of said lids, within said ice-pans 12.

It will be clearly seen that the rear (or outer ends of the said air-cooling tubes 28 are c osed by their conical iceockets 29, which are located entirely withln the icecontainers 9, so theonly opening of said tubes to the show-case compartment-1 is at the forward (or inner) ends of the tubes.

The warmer air and vapor from the showcase compartment 1 passes to the top of the latter, and thence circulates in the air-spaces on all of the vertical sides of the ice-containers 9, and passes downward therein after being cooled, to the space below said ice-containers, and finally back into the lower por.

tions of the show-case compartment.

At the same time, a portion of the warmer air from the top of said show-case compartment 1, enters the said openings or perforations 27, in the upper portion of said icecontaine'rs, and passes into and through 'the said horizontal air-ducts or passages 23, and makes its exit downwardly through the said perforations 25 in the inclined-bottom 24 of said air-ducts, into the upper art of the said ice-containers, below said li s 17; and thence the air passesdownwardly as it is cooled, throu h the ice in said ice-containers,

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into the inclined-mouths 42 of said. conical ice-pockets 29, and into Contact with the ice contained in the latter; and thence passes to the bottomof the said ice-containers, where it makes its exit by way of the said drainopening 30, to the air-space below said bottom; and finally into the lower part of said l show-case compartment, and so on, in a contlnuous circulation.

But the principal cooling-effect is produced by the large cooling-surfaces of the interior of said air-tubes 28 and exterior of their said conical ice-pockets 29, the Warmer air of the show-case compartment 1 entering the upper-portion of the open ends of said tubes, through said openings 41; thence passing back in said tubes to their upper rear portions, into contact with theupper walls of said conicai ice-pockets; thence downwardly in contact with the very cold walls of said pockets; and thence into contact with the flat lower walls of said tubes, and along the inclined surfaces thereof, back to said openings 41, where the increasinglycooled air makes its return-entrance to said show-case compartment 1 by way of the4 lower portions of said openings 41, and so on, in a continuous circulation, as aforesaid.

Of course, it will be seen that the refrigerated-air in (or from) the 'lowermost tubes 28 will be the coldest, for'the reason that it has been subjected to a plurality4 of coolin surfaces which gradually increase in cciency toward the bottom (or lowerinost)l ones of the series of'tubes.

Such a method of refrigeration produces a veryf high efficiency and economy, while keeping the food or other products in said show-case compartment l thoroughly refrigerated and dry.

The comparative dryness of the air in the show-case compartment 1 results from the use of the covering at all times of the drain or drip-Water, and prevent-ing it from saturating the air after itleaves the saidment, so that the lower open ends of said tubes are freely open to the interior of said show-case compartment; and drain-connec- '55 tions for said ice-container covered to keep the air dry.

2. A show-case refrigerator, comprising a show-case compartment having transparent panels; refrigerating-compartments at opposite ends of said show-case compartment; ice-containers located in each of said refrig erating-compartments, and removable upwardly therefrom by way of doors in the top of the latter; tubes located in a substantially horizontal posit-ion within said ice-containers, and having their forward ends in' free communication with the said show-case cornpartment,l said tubes being inclined downwardly toward their open ends and having their rear ends closed by conical ice-pockets within said ice-containers; whereby a circulation of air will take place within said tubes, `and the air will be cooled therein, and be discharged at the lowermost portions of said forward ends of said tubes into said show-case compartment.

In a show-case refrigerator, the combination with the parts named in the above claim 2, of means for permitting the air from said show-case compartment to circulate also in the space at the rear of said ice-containers, and at the opposite sides thereof, in spaces between the vertical inner walls of said refrigerating-compartments and the vertical walls of said ice-containers.

4The combination with the parts named ina the above claim 1, of a horizont-al airduct at the top of said ice-containers; and means for permitting a circulation of air from the upper portion of said show-case compartment into and through said airduct, and thence downwardly through the refrigerating-means within said ice-receptacles, and out at the bottom of the latter, and into the lower portion of said show-case compartment.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FERDINAND D. MAGUOLO.

Witnesses:

JOHNR. LANIGAN, CHARLES THUENER.- 

